Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending, and for their presentations. Some of the information is quite concerning, especially that covered by Nem in their opening statement. I did not get the opportunity to read the statement before they delivered it. I will certainly be going back over the details because there is a lot of information in there.

We have to recognise that things are improving, albeit at a slow rate. We are coming from a low base. As I mentioned to Ms Dada, and as all of the witnesses have mentioned, there is no public pathway to adult assessment for autism. That has proven to be a huge problem. Some of the witnesses have indicated a pilot programme. Do they know where that is at, or can they even give an indication? I am concerned when I hear the words, "pilot programme". Ireland is famous for launching pilot programmes that remain pilots for many years, but which never progress. We never evaluate, assess or use them to put the services in place. Because there is no public pathway, most people have to go private. What is the cost of that? As Nem pointed out, 85% of autistic adults are either unemployed of underemployed. Paying has to be an issue. I meet people all of the time who tell me they have only been identified as autistic in the previous year or two. The reason is often that they are in conversation with another person who may be autistic, who say something that assumes they are autistic. They will deny it, but think about it later and go to be assessed. It is a relief because they understand why they felt differently about things, or acted in certain ways. All of the organisations represented here give different types of support to autistic people. I will ask the same question I asked Ms Dada. Are there supports for people who cannot afford to pay for them? Is there any alternative? I recognise the importance of peer support being offered through the respective organisations. When it comes to professional support, does it have to be paid for? Is that the only way it can be accessed? Do the organisations all have a nationwide reach, so that people in every part of this country can access support if they need it? How easy is it to find the supports they need in the community?